NAU continues steady growth; Latino population jumps 10%

Northern Arizona University’s steady growth is continuing, based on unofficial enrollment figures released this week.

Total enrollment for the fall 2014 semester is about 27,830, with early estimates showing about 20,240 on the Flagstaff campus, representing a 5 percent increase.

A freshman class of 4,960 is 5 percent larger than fall 2013’s class of 4,728.

“This is a positive trend for both Northern Arizona University and Arizona, because more high school graduates are pursuing baccalaureate degrees,” said Jane Kuhn, associate vice president of Enrollment Management and Student Affairs. She added that the preliminary number represents a steady growth for NAU and future economic benefits for Arizona.

Notable increases include international student growth of 11 percent. Undergraduate and graduate enrollment in Health and Human Services degree programs is up 11 percent to 3,783, including students at NAU’s Phoenix Biomedical Campus.

Students identifying themselves as Hispanic/Latino increased 10 percent to 5,384.

NAU Provost Laura Huenneke said the growth of Hispanic student enrollment demonstrates the university’s commitment to diversity. “Our faculty and staff are absolutely dedicated to providing educational opportunities for all students in our region, students who will take their skills and experience back out to the communities we serve,” she said.

NAU now houses more than 9,000 students on the Flagstaff campus. On-campus housing increased by 328 beds with the opening of the Suites II on south campus in partnership with American Campus Communities.